Follow the author of this article

Follow the topics within this article

The cyber security provider Sophos said it expects the attack that crippled NHS trusts last week to further accelerate sales, as it unveiled annual results that outpaced City growth estimates.

The Oxfordshire-based company, which made its stock market debut less than two years ago, has battled skepticism over its accounting methods but appeared to win over many of the doubters as its shares leapt 13pc.

Sophos has assured investors that its robust growth in “billings”, its unconventional preferred measure of sales that spreads revenue recognition over the course of two-year subscriptions, would translate to strong cash flow.